world_n and_o if_o so_o how_o can_v the_o trial_n of_o religion_n depend_v upon_o the_o press_n in_o those_o early_a day_n when_o as_o yet_o it_o have_v no_o be_v and_o because_o the_o true_a christian_a faith_n be_v the_o same_o in_o all_o the_o age_n of_o the_o church_n since_o the_o apostle_n day_n we_o must_v measure_v our_o own_o religion_n by_o the_o same_o rule_n by_o which_o the_o primitive_a saint_n measure_v they_o and_o what_o be_v they_o not_o the_o voluminous_a write_n of_o man_n which_o the_o press_n have_v now_o bring_v forth_o but_o the_o sacred_a oracle_n of_o god_n this_o be_v the_o course_n to_o which_o the_o prophet_n direct_v we_o to_o the_o law_n and_o to_o the_o testimony_n this_o course_n do_v the_o berean_o take_v when_o to_o examine_v the_o doctrine_n even_o of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o they_o search_v the_o scripture_n daily_o whether_o those_o thing_n be_v so_o and_o for_o their_o do_v so_o they_o be_v high_o commend_v and_o indeed_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o lapis_fw-la lydius_n the_o touchstone_n the_o canon_n the_o only_a authentic_a rule_n of_o manner_n faith_n and_o religious_a worship_n a_o rule_n so_o plain_a and_o easy_a in_o all_o necessary_a point_n that_o in_o order_n to_o the_o trial_n of_o our_o religion_n we_o have_v no_o absolute_a need_n of_o any_o book_n but_o god_n though_o other_o good_a book_n do_v well_o towards_o the_o better_a understanding_n of_o some_o passage_n in_o this_o it_o be_v the_o great_a privilege_n of_o our_o church_n that_o we_o have_v this_o rule_n of_o scripture_n in_o such_o great_a quantity_n that_o every_o man_n who_o can_v and_o will_v may_v at_o a_o easy_a rate_n have_v it_o in_o his_o custody_n and_o thereby_o examine_v his_o religion_n when_o he_o please_v nor_o can_v we_o just_o blame_v the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n so_o long_o as_o it_o be_v permit_v to_o print_v our_o bibles_n and_o prohibit_v to_o publish_v no_o man_n book_n but_o such_o only_a as_o be_v contrary_a to_o go_n indeed_o be_v the_o press_n in_o england_n restrain_v as_o it_o be_v in_o popish_a kingdom_n from_o print_v the_o bible_n in_o our_o vulgar_a tongue_n this_o author_n argument_n will_v have_v have_v much_o strength_n in_o it_o but_o since_o it_o be_v otherwise_o since_o we_o have_v the_o scripture_n those_o test_n and_o standard_n of_o our_o religion_n preach_v in_o our_o public_a church_n and_o easy_o to_o be_v have_v and_o read_v as_o oft_o as_o we_o please_v in_o our_o private_a family_n this_o author_n argument_n against_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n be_v invalid_a and_o unconclude_a for_o it_o do_v not_o prove_v that_o for_o which_o he_o plead_v it_o but_o to_o proceed_v sect_n iv._o ii_o the_o second_o allegation_n which_o this_o author_n urge_v as_o a_o grand_a inconvenience_n against_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n be_v this_o such_o a_o restraint_n say_v he_o deprive_v man_n of_o the_o most_o proper_a and_o best_a mean_n to_o discover_v truth_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v thus_o there_o be_v a_o very_a close_a connexion_n betwixt_o this_o argument_n and_o the_o former_a a_o connexion_n as_o between_o a_o antecedent_n and_o a_o consequent_a or_o between_o the_o premise_n and_o the_o conclusion_n in_o the_o former_a argument_n he_o mention_n the_o examination_n of_o religion_n and_o in_o this_o as_o the_o end_n and_o consequence_n of_o that_o the_o discovery_n of_o truth_n for_o to_o what_o purpose_n shall_v any_o religion_n be_v impartial_o examine_v be_v it_o not_o to_o discover_v whether_o it_o be_v true_a or_o false_a and_o for_o this_o reason_n the_o same_o answer_n which_o i_o have_v give_v to_o the_o former_a argument_n may_v serve_v well_o enough_o for_o this_o for_o since_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n do_v not_o as_o i_o have_v there_o prove_v prevent_v the_o due_a examination_n of_o religion_n it_o can_v prevent_v the_o discovery_n of_o truth_n but_o that_o so_o it_o do_v our_o author_n be_v very_o positive_a yea_o and_o he_o tell_v we_o by_o what_o mean_v it_o do_v so_o namely_o by_o hinder_v man_n from_o see_v and_o examine_v the_o different_a opinion_n and_o the_o argument_n allege_v for_o they_o but_o let_v this_o author_n tell_v we_o how_o this_o can_v be_v true_a can_v a_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n for_o time_n to_o come_v hinder_v any_o man_n from_o see_v and_o examine_v the_o different_a opinion_n of_o man_n and_o their_o argument_n for_o they_o be_v there_o not_o already_o great_a number_n of_o print_a book_n expose_v to_o common_a sale_n wherein_o the_o different_a opinion_n of_o man_n about_o matter_n of_o religion_n be_v thorough_o discuss_v may_v not_o every_o man_n that_o will_v and_o can_v sufficient_o inform_v himself_o by_o book_n already_o extant_a what_o argument_n have_v be_v plead_v by_o all_o sect_n of_o christian_n in_o the_o defence_n of_o their_o respective_a profession_n and_o since_o the_o press_n have_v already_o bring_v forth_o such_o a_o numerous_a issue_n of_o this_o kind_n methinks_v every_o future_a birth_n of_o the_o same_o sort_n will_v be_v but_o a_o superfetation_n i_o be_o persuade_v that_o shall_v all_o the_o press_v in_o the_o christian_a world_n be_v absolute_o forbid_v to_o print_v any_o more_o new_a book_n of_o controversy_n and_o polemic_a divinity_n it_o will_v be_v no_o injury_n to_o the_o catholic_n church_n nor_o to_o any_o one_o member_n of_o it_o for_o nihil_fw-la dici_fw-la potest_fw-la quod_fw-la non_fw-la dictum_fw-la est_fw-la priùs_fw-la print_v indeed_o may_v be_v new_a but_o argument_n either_o for_o old_a truth_n or_o against_o old_a error_n can_v hardly_o be_v so_o but_o when_o all_o be_v do_v religious_a truth_n can_v be_v discover_v by_o humane_a argument_n any_o further_a than_o those_o argument_n be_v ground_v upon_o the_o infallible_a word_n of_o god_n it_o be_v a_o rule_n in_o mathematics_n rectum_fw-la est_fw-la index_n svi_fw-la &_o obliqui_fw-la he_o that_o will_v discover_v the_o rectitude_n or_o obliquity_n of_o a_o line_n must_v bring_v it_o to_o and_o compare_v it_o with_o such_o a_o rule_n as_o be_v already_o find_v to_o be_v exact_o straight_a so_o in_o our_o present_a case_n he_o who_o will_v discover_v the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n of_o any_o opinion_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n must_v apply_v they_o to_o and_o judge_v they_o by_o that_o infallible_a rule_n which_o st._n james_n very_o deserve_o styles_n the_o 18._o word_n of_o truth_n and_o this_o rule_n in_o all_o point_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n be_v so_o plain_a and_o easy_a that_o every_o man_n who_o have_v not_o lose_v the_o use_n of_o common_a reason_n may_v thereby_o judge_v for_o himself_o there_o be_v indeed_o in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o the_o apostle_n say_v some_o thing_n 1_o hard_a to_o be_v understand_v but_o in_o what_o text_n do_v these_o difficulty_n lie_v st._n austin_n answer_v non_fw-la quoad_fw-la ea_fw-la quae_fw-la sunt_fw-la necessaria_fw-la saluti_fw-la â—_o etc._n etc._n the_o scripture_n be_v not_o difficult_a in_o any_o of_o those_o point_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o man_n salvation_n so_o think_v st._n chrysostom_n who_o thus_o demand_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 244_o what_o man_n be_v there_o to_o who_o all_o the_o necessary_a truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v not_o clear_a and_o manifest_v he_o say_v elsewhere_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 5._o the_o husbandman_n the_o servant_n the_o widow_n the_o boy_n person_n of_o very_a mean_a capacity_n may_v easy_o understand_v what_o the_o scripture_n teach_v about_o such_o point_n as_o be_v fundamental_a that_o this_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n before_o st._n chrysostom_n time_n be_v evident_a from_o that_o testimony_n of_o irenaeus_n â—_o universae_fw-la scripturae_fw-la &_o propheticae_fw-la &_o evangelicae_fw-la in_o aperto_fw-la &_o sine_fw-la ambiguitate_fw-la &_o similiter_fw-la ab_fw-la omnibus_fw-la audiri_fw-la possunt_fw-la the_o whole_a scripture_n the_o prophet_n the_o evangelist_n in_o such_o point_n as_o most_o concern_v we_o be_v so_o plain_a express_a and_o open_a that_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n may_v equal_o apprehend_v they_o now_o if_o a_o man_n may_v discover_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o those_o doctrine_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n by_o scripture_n rule_n if_o his_o faith_n be_v ground_v on_o they_o and_o his_o practice_n be_v suitable_a to_o they_o what_o hazard_n will_v that_o man_n run_v shall_v he_o never_o see_v the_o different_a opinion_n of_o man_n about_o they_o nor_o weigh_v their_o argument_n against_o they_o suppose_v a_o man_n be_v well_o inform_v by_o the_o express_a word_n of_o god_n do_v steadfast_o believe_v the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o dead_a what_o be_v this_o man_n the_o worse_o shall_v he_o never_o see_v nor_o examine_v the_o reason_n of_o pagan_n and_o sadducee_n against_o this_o great_a article_n of_o our_o creed_n suppose_v a_o man_n be_v
man_n to_o peep_v into_o heretical_a book_n can_v be_v lawful_a because_o they_o do_v thereby_o run_v themselves_o into_o a_o very_a dangerous_a temptation_n 1â—_n our_o lord_n have_v leave_v we_o this_o caution_n beware_v of_o false_a prophet_n it_o seem_v they_o be_v dangerous_a man_n so_o we_o be_v tell_v again_o and_o again_o they_o creep_v into_o house_n and_o there_o find_v success_n for_o 11._o they_o lead_v captive_a silly_a woman_n and_o again_o they_o overthrow_v the_o faith_n of_o some_o nay_o they_o subvert_v whole_a house_n it_o seem_v that_o heresy_n be_v a_o contagious_a disease_n apt_a to_o overrun_v whole_a family_n and_o doubtless_o this_o poison_n may_v be_v convey_v in_o a_o piece_n of_o paper_n as_o successful_o as_o any_o other_o way_n this_o infection_n may_v be_v receive_v as_o well_o by_o the_o eye_n from_o a_o book_n as_o by_o the_o ear_n from_o a_o tongue_n for_o when_o unlearned_a man_n meet_v with_o socinian_n argument_n draw_v either_o from_o humane_a reason_n or_o abuse_v scripture_n since_o they_o themselves_o can_v confute_v they_o they_o be_v apt_a to_o yield_v up_o their_o own_o reason_n and_o give_v up_o those_o truth_n for_o lose_v which_o they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o defend_v and_o i_o think_v that_o it_o will_v be_v no_o breach_n of_o charity_n if_o i_o tell_v my_o reader_n that_o i_o be_o very_o persuade_v that_o the_o great_a reason_n why_o this_o author_n plead_v so_o many_o argument_n though_o no_o good_a one_o for_o the_o unlimited_a liberty_n of_o the_o press_n be_v this_o namely_o that_o our_o socinian_n may_v without_o control_n publish_v their_o book_n full_a of_o subtle_a but_o fallacious_a argument_n to_o surprise_n and_o captivate_v the_o judgement_n of_o illiterate_a and_o undiscerning_a men._n we_o know_v that_o in_o the_o late_a reign_n a_o universal_a liberty_n of_o conscience_n be_v plead_v for_o and_o grant_v by_o a_o declaration_n upon_o a_o design_n to_o bring_v in_o popery_n so_o now_o a_o universal_a liberty_n of_o the_o press_n be_v contend_v for_o by_o those_o man_n who_o design_n it_o be_v to_o introduce_v socinianism_n the_o very_o worst_a of_o heresy_n for_o it_o total_o subvert_v the_o very_a foundation_n of_o our_o christian_a faith_n and_o hope_n indeed_o to_o my_o best_a observation_n this_o author_n have_v not_o in_o his_o whole_a letter_n so_o much_o as_o once_o name_v socinian_n nor_o drop_v one_o plain_a word_n in_o favour_n of_o it_o but_o yet_o latet_fw-la anguis_fw-la in_o herba_fw-la this_o be_v very_o prudent_o do_v to_o prevent_v suspicion_n but_o if_o he_o be_v not_o a_o man_n of_o that_o sort_n why_o do_v he_o tell_v we_o that_o if_o the_o press_n must_v be_v regulate_v it_o must_v be_v do_v by_o some_o layman_n for_o which_o he_o can_v have_v no_o substantial_a reason_n save_v only_o this_o namely_o because_o from_o a_o clergyman_n no_o socinian_n book_n can_v ever_o expect_v a_o imprimatur_fw-la but_o this_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d only_o by_o the_o way_n in_o short_a the_o substance_n of_o my_o answer_n to_o this_o allegation_n be_v this_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o man_n of_o weak_a understanding_n to_o mind_n subtle_a argument_n contain_v in_o heretical_a book_n lest_o thereby_o they_o may_v be_v ensnare_v and_o for_o that_o reason_n the_o press_n shall_v not_o be_v permit_v to_o publish_v any_o such_o book_n unless_o security_n can_v be_v give_v that_o they_o shall_v never_o come_v into_o vulgar_a hand_n sect_n xii_o 8._o this_o author_n eight_o allegation_n against_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n be_v this_o the_o press_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v restrain_v because_o the_o reformation_n be_v whole_o owe_v to_o it_o i_o answer_v there_o be_v no_o liberty_n deny_v to_o any_o english_a press_n to_o publish_v any_o book_n which_o tend_v to_o help_v the_o devotion_n to_o reform_v the_o life_n or_o confirm_v the_o judgement_n of_o man_n in_o the_o true_a faith_n of_o christ_n but_o as_o for_o the_o establish_v religion_n of_o our_o church_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o worship_n it_o be_v so_o well_o refine_v already_o from_o the_o dregs_o of_o popery_n and_o superstition_n that_o we_o do_v not_o need_v another_o luther_n nor_o the_o help_n of_o any_o press_n to_o reform_v and_o make_v it_o better_o he_o that_o will_v reform_v our_o religion_n in_o any_o of_o its_o substantial_a part_n must_v reform_v the_o scripture_n too_o for_o our_o church_n teach_v no_o other_o doctrine_n in_o the_o great_a point_n of_o faith_n and_o worship_n than_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n teach_v the_o world_n if_o we_o may_v believe_v those_o sacred_a write_n which_o they_o have_v leave_v we_o but_o since_o i_o have_v already_o under_o another_o head_n give_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n to_o this_o allegation_n i_o need_v not_o here_o say_v any_o more_o about_o it_o sect_n xiii_o 9_o the_o nine_o allegation_n which_o this_o author_n urge_v against_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n be_v this_o our_o divine_n condemn_v the_o popish_a clergy_n for_o not_o suffer_v their_o laity_n to_o read_v protestant_a author_n we_o do_v so_o and_o very_o just_o too_o but_o what_o then_o the_o inference_n which_o he_o intend_v must_v be_v this_o our_o protestant_a clergy_n must_v be_v condemn_v for_o not_o suffer_v our_o laity_n to_o read_v socinian_n book_n and_o for_o watch_v the_o press_n to_o prevent_v it_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v thus_o this_o inference_n be_v a_o non_fw-la sequitur_fw-la it_o be_v wild_a and_o extravagant_a for_o there_o be_v a_o great_a difference_n in_o the_o case_n the_o prohibition_n of_o book_n may_v be_v a_o act_n either_o to_o be_v blame_v or_o commend_v according_a as_o the_o book_n prohibit_v be_v either_o real_o good_a or_o real_o bad_a to_o forbid_v man_n the_o use_n of_o such_o book_n as_o tend_v to_o the_o benefit_n of_o mankind_n the_o advantage_n of_o true_a religion_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o soul_n be_v a_o act_n impious_a and_o tyrannical_a and_o this_o be_v the_o know_a practice_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n which_o forbid_v layman_n to_o read_v the_o bible_n and_o the_o write_n of_o such_o protestant_a author_n as_o teach_v nothing_o but_o what_o the_o scripture_n teach_v and_o for_o this_o do_v we_o very_o just_o condemn_v they_o but_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n to_o forbid_v injudicious_a man_n the_o use_n of_o such_o book_n as_o tend_v to_o promote_v error_n and_o heresy_n to_o distract_v their_o reader_n judgement_n and_o rather_o to_o shake_v their_o faith_n than_o to_o confirm_v it_o be_v a_o act_n laudable_a charitable_a and_o necessary_a for_o the_o age_n we_o live_v in_o for_o those_o prediction_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n false_a prophet_n shall_v arise_v and_o again_o false_a 1_o teacher_n shall_v be_v among_o you_o be_v fulfil_v in_o these_o time_n for_o there_o be_v among_o we_o romish_a priest_n and_o jesuit_n yea_o and_o some_o far_o more_o dangerous_a than_o they_o i_o mean_v our_o socinian_n who_o can_v corrupt_v so_o many_o soul_n by_o their_o personal_a conference_n as_o they_o may_v by_o their_o book_n and_o be_v it_o not_o high_a time_n to_o watch_v the_o press_n lest_o any_o thing_n steal_v from_o thence_o which_o may_v poison_n the_o head_n of_o unwary_a man_n or_o must_v the_o press_n be_v permit_v free_o to_o spread_v that_o destructive_a heresy_n which_o have_v be_v long_o since_o condemn_v by_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o its_o representative_n meet_v in_o general_a council_n but_o here_o this_o author_n to_o justify_v his_o own_o opinion_n cites_n a_o learned_a divine_a of_o our_o own_o church_n and_o borrow_v this_o passage_n from_o he_o they_o that_o have_v a_o good_a cause_n will_v not_o fright_v man_n from_o consider_v what_o their_o adversary_n say_v against_o they_o nor_o forbid_v they_o to_o read_v their_o book_n but_o rather_o encourage_v they_o so_o to_o do_v that_o they_o may_v see_v the_o difference_n between_o truth_n and_o error_n reason_n and_o sophistry_n with_o their_o own_o eye_n etc._n etc._n that_o we_o may_v see_v how_o little_a service_n this_o passage_n do_v our_o author_n let_v we_o view_v it_o again_o they_o who_o have_v a_o good_a cause_n but_o who_o be_v they_o we_o can_v doubt_v but_o this_o good_a man_n mean_v the_o church_n of_o england_n of_o which_o he_o himself_o be_v a_o very_a worthy_a minister_n but_o what_o say_v he_o of_o this_o church_n of_o we_o it_o will_v not_o fright_v man_n from_o consider_v etc._n etc._n but_o what_o man_n this_o eminent_a divine_a be_v the_o lecturer_n of_o gray_n inn_n where_o his_o auditory_a do_v chief_o consist_v of_o such_o person_n as_o have_v be_v blessed_v with_o a_o learned_a education_n and_o may_v charitable_o be_v presume_v to_o be_v well_o skill_v in_o the_o law_n of_o god_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o law_n of_o man._n now_o that_o this_o
unhappy_a as_o not_o to_o apprehend_v the_o mystery_n of_o religion_n doubtless_o the_o reason_n must_v needs_o be_v this_o their_o own_o understanding_n though_o exercise_v to_o their_o utmost_a ability_n can_v not_o inform_v they_o better_o for_o want_n of_o some_o other_o and_o clear_a light_n and_o what_o be_v their_o case_n will_v have_v be_v we_o have_v not_o god_n enlighten_v and_o bless_v the_o christian_a church_n with_o divine_a revelation_n but_o withal_o this_o great_a blessing_n of_o divine_a revelation_n do_v not_o exclude_v but_o require_v the_o very_a utmost_a exercise_n of_o human_a reason_n for_o we_o must_v employ_v not_o only_o our_o eye_n or_o tongue_n but_o our_o understanding_n in_o read_v the_o word_n of_o god_n it_o must_v be_v our_o great_a endeavour_n by_o the_o use_n of_o all_o proper_a mean_n to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a mean_v of_o what_o we_o read_v and_o when_o upon_o good_a ground_n we_o be_v satisfy_v that_o the_o right_a sense_n of_o such_o or_o such_o a_o text_n be_v this_o or_o that_o though_o the_o matter_n therein_o deliver_v be_v above_o the_o reach_n of_o our_o reason_n yet_o the_o same_o reason_n will_v oblige_v we_o to_o believe_v it_o as_o a_o undoubted_a truth_n because_o that_o god_n who_o can_v lie_v have_v so_o reveal_v it_o and_o this_o i_o think_v be_v all_o which_o humane_a reason_n have_v to_o do_v in_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o worship_n unless_o it_o be_v to_o oblige_v we_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o what_o we_o know_v and_o believe_v 12._o to_o conclude_v this_o subject_a our_o lord_n say_v of_o himself_o i_o be_o the_o light_n of_o the_o world_n the_o same_o thing_n he_o say_v to_o his_o apostle_n too_o you_o be_v the_o light_n of_o the_o world_n so_o they_o be_v not_o only_o by_o their_o 14._o holy_a example_n but_o by_o their_o holy_a doctrine_n too_o why_o else_o do_v the_o apostle_n mention_v the_o glorious_a light_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o light_n of_o reason_n be_v but_o as_o the_o light_n of_o a_o glow_n worm_n the_o light_n of_o the_o law_n be_v but_o as_o the_o light_n of_o a_o star_n but_o the_o light_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v as_o the_o light_n of_o the_o sun_n a_o very_a glorious_a light_n indeed_o now_o if_o this_o be_v true_a if_o christ_n himself_o if_o the_o apostle_n of_o christ_n if_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n be_v so_o many_o light_n differ_v in_o number_n have_v not_o this_o author_n strange_o forget_v himself_o and_o his_o bible_n when_o he_o tell_v the_o world_n in_o his_o print_a paper_n that_o the_o reason_n of_o man_n be_v the_o light_n nay_o the_o only_a light_n which_o god_n have_v give_v he_o to_o distinguish_v the_o true_a religion_n from_o the_o false_a one_o and_o again_o that_o god_n have_v give_v to_o man_n no_o other_o guide_n but_o their_o reason_n to_o bring_v they_o to_o happiness_n and_o yet_o a_o three_o time_n that_o the_o people_n common_a notion_n be_v the_o test_n and_o standard_n of_o all_o truth_n if_o these_o three_o proposition_n be_v true_a or_o any_o one_o of_o they_o i_o do_v confess_v that_o the_o small_a light_n of_o my_o own_o reason_n have_v not_o yet_o enable_v i_o to_o discern_v any_o difference_n betwixt_o the_o clear_a truth_n and_o the_o gross_a error_n and_o very_o the_o expose_v such_o notorious_a falsehood_n to_o the_o view_n of_o the_o world_n by_o the_o help_n of_o the_o press_n be_v a_o very_a strong_a argument_n why_o its_o liberty_n shall_v be_v restrain_v but_o to_o go_v on_o sect_n ii_o the_o main_a argument_n which_o this_o author_n plead_v for_o a_o universal_a freedom_n of_o the_o press_n be_v draw_v from_o these_o two_o topic_n first_o from_o the_o great_a usefulness_n of_o printing_n which_o have_v be_v so_o very_o beneficial_a to_o the_o christian_a church_n second_o from_o several_a great_a inconvenience_n which_o as_o he_o say_v will_v follow_v be_v the_o press_n once_o more_o restrain_v and_o limit_v i._o this_o author_n plead_v the_o great_a usefulness_n of_o printing_n as_o a_o argument_n that_o the_o press_n shall_v be_v unlimited_a to_o which_o i_o answer_v two_o way_n 1._o by_o way_n of_o concession_n we_o do_v easy_o grant_v that_o the_o invention_n of_o printing_n have_v prove_v very_o beneficial_a to_o the_o christian_a church_n it_o be_v this_o which_o have_v diffuse_v the_o knowledge_n of_o useful_a art_n and_o science_n and_o all_o sort_n of_o humane_a learning_n it_o be_v this_o which_o have_v furnish_v our_o library_n with_o vast_a number_n of_o excellent_a book_n it_o be_v this_o which_o have_v furnish_v our_o church_n and_o our_o family_n with_o great_a store_n of_o bibles_n and_o we_o easy_o grant_v what_o this_o author_n assert_n that_o to_o this_o art_n of_o print_v we_o owe_v under_o god_n the_o happy_a and_o quick_a progress_n of_o the_o reformation_n but_o 2._o by_o way_n of_o denial_n we_o can_v grant_v that_o the_o usefulness_n of_o the_o press_n be_v a_o good_a argument_n that_o its_o liberty_n shall_v be_v unlimited_a for_o notwithstanding_o these_o great_a advantage_n which_o both_o religion_n and_o learning_n have_v reap_v from_o this_o curious_a art_n of_o printing_n may_v not_o it_o as_o well_o as_o many_o other_o thing_n very_o useful_a in_o their_o own_o nature_n be_v so_o abuse_v and_o pervert_v as_o to_o become_v instrumental_a to_o the_o great_a detriment_n of_o mankind_n it_o be_v a_o old_a rule_n corruptio_fw-la optimi_fw-la pessima_fw-la the_o better_a thing_n be_v when_o well_o use_v the_o worse_o they_o grow_v when_o corrupt_v the_o sword_n be_v a_o excellent_a instrument_n when_o it_o defend_v the_o guiltless_a but_o it_o prove_v a_o unhappy_a tool_n when_o it_o murder_v the_o innocent_a physic_n due_o administer_v by_o a_o learned_a physician_n may_v preserve_v a_o life_n but_o be_v misapply_v by_o a_o ignorant_a mountebank_n it_o tend_v to_o destroy_v it_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o art_n of_o printing_n have_v do_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o good_a and_o we_o be_v to_o bless_v god_n for_o it_o but_o withal_o it_o be_v as_o certain_a that_o it_o have_v do_v and_o still_o may_v do_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o mischief_n and_o we_o be_v to_o lament_v it_o when_o the_o press_n tend_v to_o promote_v religion_n and_o virtue_n it_o be_v well_o employ_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v encourage_v but_o when_o the_o press_n tend_v to_o promote_v vice_n and_o irreligion_n it_o ought_v to_o be_v discountenance_v and_o restrain_v it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o press_n have_v be_v use_v to_o publish_v a_o great_a number_n of_o such_o paper_n as_o tend_v to_o debauch_v the_o life_n and_o corrupt_v the_o judgement_n of_o man_n such_o be_v our_o obscene_a poem_n our_o profane_a and_o wanton_a stage-plays_a where_o vice_n be_v not_o only_o represent_v but_o so_o promote_v that_o we_o may_v just_o fear_v that_o as_o all_o their_o spectator_n lose_v their_o time_n so_o many_o of_o they_o may_v lose_v their_o innocence_n too_o for_o since_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n be_v so_o prone_a to_o evil_n and_o become_v so_o like_a to_o tinder_n apt_a to_o take_v fire_n from_o every_o little_a spark_n it_o be_v hard_a to_o see_v those_o vice_n which_o be_v please_v to_o flesh_n and_o blood_n represent_v upon_o a_o public_a stage_n and_o yet_o not_o be_v infect_v by_o they_o and_o as_o these_o be_v very_o like_a to_o debauch_v their_o spectator_n moral_n so_o be_v there_o many_o other_o print_v paper_n as_o like_a to_o corrupt_v their_o reader_n be_v judgement_n such_o be_v those_o many_o volume_n print_v in_o defence_n of_o popery_n and_o which_o be_v worse_o such_o be_v those_o book_n print_v in_o the_o defence_n of_o arianism_n socinianism_n and_o other_o heresy_n just_o condemn_v by_o the_o catholic_n church_n in_o the_o first_o and_o pure_a age_n of_o christianity_n it_o be_v report_v that_o our_o modern_a socinian_n have_v already_o pervert_v a_o considerable_a number_n of_o man_n not_o only_o by_o their_o personal_a insinuation_n but_o by_o their_o print_a paper_n and_o it_o be_v very_o probable_a that_o they_o may_v yet_o make_v many_o more_o proselyte_n to_o their_o dangerous_a opinion_n if_o the_o press_n be_v still_o permit_v to_o publish_v whatever_o they_o think_v fit_a to_o write_v for_o their_o book_n contain_v argument_n so_o plausible_a so_o seem_o strong_a that_o they_o may_v pass_v for_o clear_a evidence_n and_o demonstration_n among_o the_o unlearned_a multitude_n who_o be_v in_o no_o capacity_n to_o discover_v the_o fallacy_n that_o lie_v in_o they_o now_o since_o the_o press_n may_v as_o well_o do_v harm_n as_o good_a it_o be_v very_o reasonable_a that_o it_o shall_v be_v well_o regulate_v to_o promote_v that_o good_a and_o prevent_v that_o harm_n it_o be_v very_o fit_a that_o no_o new_a book_n shall_v be_v publish_v till_o they_o have_v be_v first_o supervise_v and_o allow_v
of_o all_o opinion_n and_o practice_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o religion_n be_v contrary_a to_o the_o judgement_n and_o practice_n of_o particular_a learned_a man_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n scapulam_fw-la tertullian_n indeed_o tell_v we_o non_fw-la religionis_fw-la est_fw-la cogere_fw-la religionem_fw-la quae_fw-la sponte-suscipi_a debeat_fw-la non_fw-la vi_fw-la the_o own_n of_o any_o religion_n ought_v to_o be_v free_a not_o force_v and_o it_o be_v best_a that_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o but_o lest_o this_o expression_n shall_v be_v make_v use_n scorp_n of_o as_o pamelius_n word_n it_o ad_fw-la sectarum_fw-la licentiam_fw-la as_o a_o licence_n to_o heretic_n the_o same_o tertullian_n say_v elsewhere_o ad_fw-la officium_fw-la haereticos_fw-la compelli_fw-la non_fw-la inlici_fw-la dignum_fw-la est_fw-la it_o be_v fit_a the_o heretic_n shall_v be_v compel_v not_o allure_v to_o do_v what_o become_v they_o 9_o st._n hierom_n say_v of_o heresy_n scintilla_fw-la statim_fw-la ut_fw-la apparuerit_fw-la extinguenda_fw-la est_fw-la the_o very_a first_o spark_n of_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v cherish_v but_o extinguish_v and_o how_o far_o he_o be_v from_o countenance_v ill_a opinion_n be_v evident_a from_o his_o epistle_n to_o riparius_n where_o he_o call_v his_o oppose_v the_o heresy_n of_o those_o time_n christi_fw-la bellum_fw-la the_o war_n of_o christ_n and_o fevardentius_n praefa_fw-la tell_v we_o gloriatur_fw-la hieronymus_n se_fw-la haereticis_fw-la nunquam_fw-la pepercisse_fw-la st._n hierom_n glori_v that_o he_o never_o spare_v any_o heretic_n that_o great_a man_n st._n austin_n who_o be_v very_o tender_a of_o punish_v man_n for_o their_o opinion_n do_v yet_o write_v several_a epistle_n to_o the_o governor_n of_o several_a province_n which_o bear_v this_o inscription_n de_fw-fr moderatè_fw-fr coercendis_fw-la haereticis_fw-la wherein_o he_o do_v beseech_v they_o to_o restrain_v heretic_n not_o by_o capital_a punishment_n but_o by_o some_o gentle_a correction_n that_o sentence_n which_o dulcitius_n pronounce_v against_o the_o donatist_n st._n austin_n think_v too_o severe_a and_o so_o do_v we_o 61._o noveritis_fw-la vos_fw-la debitae_fw-la morti_fw-la dandos_fw-la know_v that_o you_o must_v die_v as_o you_o deserve_v such_o sanguinary_a course_n be_v very_o improper_a mean_n to_o reduce_v heretic_n they_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o our_o lord_n design_n and_o can_v be_v reconcile_v to_o that_o command_n of_o he_o compel_v they_o to_o come_v in_o that_o my_o 23._o house_n may_v be_v fill_v the_o compulsion_n here_o require_v must_v be_v such_o as_o tend_v to_o recover_v man_n not_o to_o destroy_v they_o and_o certain_o to_o send_v they_o out_o of_o the_o world_n by_o bloody_a law_n be_v a_o strange_a way_n of_o bring_v they_o into_o the_o church_n that_o expression_n of_o st._n paul_n will_v never_o warrant_v such_o a_o course_n galathian_n 5._o 12._o i_o will_v they_o be_v even_o cut_v off_o which_o trouble_v you_o he_o do_v not_o wish_v they_o be_v kill_v with_o the_o sword_n but_o only_o cut_v off_o from_o the_o church_n by_o excommunication_n but_o although_o sanguinary_a law_n may_v not_o be_v execute_v unless_o it_o be_v in_o case_n of_o profess_a atheism_n gross_a idolatry_n or_o downright_a blasphemy_n yet_o for_o the_o restraint_n of_o other_o opinion_n and_o practice_n which_o corrupt_v the_o doctrine_n and_o disturb_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n some_o gentle_a punishment_n have_v be_v use_v and_o in_o st._n augustine_n judgement_n still_o aught_o to_o be_v in_o short_a all_o those_o learned_a and_o pious_a man_n who_o be_v so_o renown_v in_o former_a age_n athanasius_n great_a st._n basil_n irenaeus_n and_o many_o other_o have_v declare_v to_o all_o succeed_a generation_n that_o they_o do_v not_o approve_v of_o a_o general_a toleration_n of_o all_o opinion_n and_o practice_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o religion_n for_o why_o else_o do_v they_o write_v so_o vehement_o against_o the_o ill_a opinion_n of_o arius_n eutyches_n nestorius_n and_o other_o heretic_n concern_v who_o cyril_n of_o jerusalem_n give_v 6._o every_o orthodox_n christian_n this_o advice_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d abhor_v they_o avoid_v they_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o once_o salute_v they_o so_o he_o 2._o it_o be_v certain_a that_o a_o universal_a liberty_n of_o conscience_n a_o unlimited_a toleration_n of_o all_o opinion_n and_o practice_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o religion_n be_v direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o decree_n and_o canon_n of_o ancient_a council_n and_o that_o we_o may_v see_v in_o a_o few_o instance_n as_o 1._o the_o decree_n and_o canon_n of_o council_n do_v not_o leave_v man_n to_o the_o liberty_n of_o their_o own_o conscience_n as_o to_o the_o use_n of_o both_o the_o sacrament_n the_o council_n of_o carthage_n establish_v this_o canon_n in_o reference_n 122._o to_o baptism_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d whosoever_o deme_v that_o little_a infant_n new_o bear_v aught_o to_o be_v baptize_v let_v he_o be_v accurse_v or_o excommunicate_v and_o as_o to_o the_o other_o bless_a sacrament_n there_o be_v a_o canon_n ascribe_v to_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o which_o run_v thus_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d can._n all_o christian_n who_o come_v to_o the_o public_a assembly_n and_o there_o hear_v the_o scripture_n but_o stay_v not_o to_o receive_v the_o holy_a communion_n aught_o to_o be_v excommucate_v and_o so_o think_v the_o council_n of_o antioch_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 2._o they_o who_o turn_v their_o back_n upon_o the_o holy_a communion_n aught_o to_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o council_n of_o sardica_n as_o zonaras_n tell_v we_o do_v by_o a_o canon_n of_o they_o excommunicate_v all_o person_n who_o abstain_v from_o the_o holy_a sacrament_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o three_o lord_n day_n together_o 2._o the_o decree_n and_o canon_n of_o council_n do_v not_o leave_v man_n to_o the_o liberty_n of_o their_o own_o conscience_n as_o to_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o lord_n day_n concern_v this_o the_o council_n of_o laodicea_n thus_o decree_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d â—9_n no_o christian_n ought_v to_o act_v like_o a_o jew_n and_o rest_n upon_o the_o saturday_n but_o to_o prefer_v our_o lord_n day_n and_o rest_n in_o they_o and_o as_o for_o such_o as_o shall_v transgress_v this_o canon_n the_o council_n pass_v this_o sentence_n upon_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d let_v they_o be_v accurse_v of_o christ_n nor_o be_v it_o leave_v as_o a_o thing_n arbitrary_a for_o man_n common_o to_o fast_a upon_o the_o sunday_n if_o a_o clergyman_n do_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 66._o let_v he_o be_v depose_v or_o degrade_v if_o a_o layman_n do_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d let_v he_o be_v excommunicate_v so_o say_v the_o apostle_n canon_n 3._o the_o decree_n and_o canon_n of_o council_n do_v not_o leave_v man_n to_o the_o liberty_n of_o their_o own_o conscience_n as_o to_o the_o use_n of_o public_a church_n and_o the_o frequent_v of_o sacred_a assembly_n hold_v therein_o the_o heretic_n eustathius_n in_o the_o four_o century_n despise_v public_a church_n teach_v his_o follower_n to_o pray_v and_o perform_v other_o act_n of_o divine_a service_n in_o private_a conventicle_n against_o this_o practice_n the_o council_n of_o gangra_n establish_v their_o canon_n 6._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o again_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n if_o any_o man_n teach_v that_o the_o church_n and_o solemn_a assembly_n meet_v therein_o be_v to_o be_v despise_v and_o if_o any_o man_n shall_v set_v up_o private_a meeting_n for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n without_o licence_n from_o his_o bishop_n let_v he_o be_v accurse_v these_o canon_n and_o many_o more_o to_o the_o like_a effect_n be_v undeniable_a evidence_n that_o the_o council_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n be_v far_o enough_o from_o be_v favourer_n of_o a_o general_a toleration_n of_o all_o opinion_n and_o practice_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n 3._o it_o be_v certain_a that_o a_o universal_a toleration_n of_o all_o opinion_n and_o practice_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n be_v contrary_a to_o the_o judgement_n and_o practice_n even_o of_o the_o roman_a church_n itself_o what_o their_o judgement_n be_v in_o this_o case_n we_o be_v inform_v from_o the_o learned_a man_n of_o their_o communion_n lorinus_n one_o of_o their_o jesuit_n intimate_v his_o opinion_n as_o well_o as_o his_o author_n when_o 30._o he_o say_v haereticos_fw-la rectè_fw-la clemens_n exterminandos_fw-la praecipit_fw-la clemens_n do_v just_o command_v heretic_n to_o be_v root_v out_o thomas_n aquinas_n their_o angelical_a doctor_n deliver_v his_o opinion_n 3._o concern_v heretic_n very_o roundly_o thus_o non_fw-la solùm_fw-la ab_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la per_fw-la excommunicationem_fw-la separandos_fw-la sed_fw-la etiam_fw-la per_fw-la mortem_fw-la à _fw-la mundo_fw-la excludendos_fw-la heretic_n deserve_v not_o only_o to_o be_v exclude_v from_o the_o church_n by_o excommunication_n but_o also_o from_o the_o world_n by_o